Rail-securing device



w. G. CCUGHLIN RAIL SECURING DEVICE Fil'ed April 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 anvenio n W m fiyw Oct. 23,1928.

. 1,688,801 w. G. COUGHLIN RAIL SECURING DEVICE Filed April 17,1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v .70. I snoemt &

Patented Get. 23,1928.

,UNITED SKATES P'rsa'r orrics.

RAIL-SECURING DEVICE.

Application filed. l7,

The present invention relates to railways, and more particularly to means for securing rails to their supports.

in object of the invention is to provide a means for securing rails that will firmly hold the rails against movement, longitudinal, lateral or rotative, and at the same time will guard the cross tie against injury resul ing from wear, renewal or repair.

The problem of providing a proper support and securing means for railway rails has engaged the attention of engineers and inventors for a long time and in ever increasing degree with increasing traffic and wheel. loads. No satisfactory substitute has thus far been found for the wooden cross tie, and the primitive method of securing the rail to the tie by driven spikes is still followed to a large extent. The life of the tie under such conditions is necessarily short, due to the cutting ac ion of the rails and the destruction of the fibers by the spike. originally and in renewing and regauging the rails. To prevent the cutting action of the rails and to secure a firmer abutment against spreading, metal tie plates have been, and are at the present time, in extensive use. These tie plates have been increased in size from time to time in order to keep pace with the ever increasing wear and load to which they are subjected, and they have been correspondingly increased in thickness to stiffen them against buckling so as to effect a uniform distribution of the load over the surface of the tie. Hence the tie plates at the present time in use comprise large volume of metal and are correspondingly costly.

The present invention provides a metal tie plate presenting a large bearing area on the tie, but formed of a minimum amount of metal and yet having a degree of stiffness ample to prevent its distortion under the most trying conditions of use. For attaining this object, I provide a tie plate consisting preferably of a relatively thin plate adapted to rest on top of the tie having depending flanges adapted to engage the sides of the tie. The flanges of course reinforce the plate against bending or buckling in a degree proportional to their depth and they are so formed that the ratio of strength of tie plate to stress at any point is at least equal to the ratio of strength to stress at the point of greatest stress. As the stress is greatest directly beneath the rail the most Serial No. 162,684..

economical form of depending flange is one which has a maximum depth directly beneath the rail, and this is a preferred form, although other and widely variant forms come well Within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a tie plate having dependent flanges, devices for holding the rail against longitudinal, lateral, or revolving movement, such devices being so applied that injury to the tie is reduced to a minimum and being so constructed that the rail can be regaug'ed or renewed with great facility without subjecting the tie to the slightest injury.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a specific description of several forms of tie plates and associated rail holding devices illustrating the present improvements:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tie plate combined with means for holding the plate to the tie and having provisions for adjusting for regaug'ing;

2 is a sectional detail taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating more particularlv a reinforced holding means for the tie plate;

Figs. 4 and 5 are side and top views, respectively of a tie plate provided with integral lugs adapted to engage the outer and inner edges of a rail base;

Fig. 6 is a side view illustrating the ap plication to the tie plate of a removable clip adapted to engage the inner edge of the rail base, and Fig. 7 is a view looking down on the clip;

Fig. 8 is a side view showing a modified form of adjusting means for regauging';

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on line 99 of 8; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of Fig. 8.

The various figures .illustrate different forms of dependent-flange tie plates. Each consists of plate 10 adapted to rest on top of a tie under the rail and having a suflicient area to distribute the load over a large surface of the tie, so that the fibers of the latter are not damaged in the use of the tie plate, and each tie plate further consists of a pair of dependent flanges which may engage the sides of the tie. So far as the present invention is concerned these flanges may as sumo a number of widely variant forms, as long as they so strengthen the tie plate that the ratio of strength to stress at any point is at least equal to the ratio of strength to stress at the point of greatest stress.

The form of dependent flange 11 illustrated in Figure 1 is perhaps the simplest and most economical. In this form the depth of the flange a maximum near the center of the plate, or directly beneath the rail, where the plate is subjected to maximum stresses, the depth gradually decreasing towards the ends of t he plate in proportion to the decrease of the stresses. In Fig. 5 the depth of the flange 11 is a maximum at the inner end of the plate; and in Fig. 1 the flan e 11 has a uniform depth throughout.

hfost tie plates are provided with apertures for the passage of spikes engaging both the outer and inner edges of the rail base. As driven spikesare destructive-to the fibers of the tie which are essential in resisting bending stresses, it is preferable to combine the tie plates with devices which eliminate the necessity for spkes. The figures show dependent flange tie plates provided with integral lugs 30 struck up from the metal of the flanges and adapted to engage the edges of the rail base to prevent lateral movement, or spreading, of the rails.

The tie plate preferably formed with pair of lugs 30 adapted to engage the edges of the rail base and having their ends bent outwardly as shown in Fig. 5 so as to overl e the rail base at an acute angle to the rail. These lugs thus not only prevent spreading of the rails but prevent any substantial longitudinal movement or creeping thereof, since upon the slightest longitudinal movement of the rail in either direction the inwardly bent end of one or the other lug will tend to straighten and consequently will grip the rail more firmly.

In Fig. 1 a dependent-flange tie plate is illustrated in combination with devices for holding the tie plate on the tie so constructed that the fibers of the tie useful in resisting bending stra ns are not destroyed and the tie plate can be adjusted for gauge with great facility without disturbing said holding means, such devices being of the same general character as those for the same purpose shown in my Patent, No. 1,529,345. The depending flanges of the tie plate may have any suitable form. In this construction the holding means comprise bolts 26 which pass horizontally through the tie near the neutral axis thereof, so that the destruction of the fibers necessary in forming the bolt holes does not. substantially impair the strength of the tie as a beam. The bolts 26 pass through horizontally elongated holes 27 formed near the ends of the depending flanges and through holes in rectangular washers 28, the sides of which are located at different distances from the axis of the bolt. The sides of the washers are adapted to abut outward- 1y extending flanges 29 on the depending flanges of the tie plate. Thus the track can be regauged by removing the washers and replacing them with a different side against he flanges 29, the tie plates being moved along the tie correspondingly. It will be observed that the bolts 26 are not disturbed in this adjustment. Any suitable means may be employed for holding the rail on the tie plate, the devices shown for this purpose consisting of hooked lugs 30 disposed at diagonally opposite positions on the tie plate, illustrated more clearly in Figs. t and 5. The tie plates are positioned on the rails, as will be obvious, before bolting to the ties.

If the form of the depending flange is such that two bolts passing through the flanges cannot be. used, and it is desired to provide a greater resistance to displacement of the tie plate than that offered by one bolt, the construction illustrated by F? g. 3 may be employed. As here shown, one bolt 26 passes through the depending flanges of the tie plate and is associated with adjusting devices of the same construction as described with reference to Figs. '1 and 2, and a second bolt 31 passing horizontally through the tie is connected to bolt 26 by a strap 32.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a further modification in the means associated with the tie plate for holding the rail against lateral, longitudinal and revolving movement. In the construction here illustrated a pair of lugs 30 are struck up from the metal of the plate at diagonally opposite positions where by they are adapted to engage the inner and outer edges of a rail base. The free ends of the lugs are bent outwardly so that they overlie the rail base at anacute angle to the axis of the rail, this construction, as before pointed out, preventing any substantial creeping of the rail. In assembling a tie plate having rail holding means of this construction the lugs 30 are engaged with the rail base by holding thetie plate at an angle to the axis of the rail so that the edges of the rail base can pass between the lugs, the plate is then turned to the proper position, at right angles to the railwhereupon the rail base will be snugly engaged by said lugs. The tie plate may be adjustably secured to the tie by devices similar to those illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In the construction shown by Fig. 6, the tie plate is formed with integral lugs 33 adapted to engage the outer edge of the rail base and constructedto prevent creeping," and is combined with removable aws, or clips, for engagement with the inner edge of the rail base. These clips each comprise a body portion 34 having an edge abutting an outwardly turned flange 35 extending from the inner edge of the depending flange of the tie plate, and having an upwardly extending portion formed with jaws adapted to receive the inner edge of the rail base, the lower jaw 86 having a horizontal face engaging the under surface of the rail base and the upper jaw 37 being bent outwardly so as to overlie the base at an angle to the rail for the purpose of preventing creeping. The clip may be combined with means for adjusting the tie plate, such means consisting of a. rectangular washer having a bolt hole eccentric to the washer, abutting the flange 35 and a bolt passing through the tie and through horizontally elongated holes in the tie plate and the body portion 8% of the clip. It will be observed from Fig. 7 that the body portion 34 of the clip is curved in horizontal section with its concave face opposing the plane surface of the depending flange. Thus, it on account of wear the clip should lose its firm engagement with the rail base, it can again be brought into proper engagement by straightening and taking up some of the curvature of the body portion 34.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified form of device for adjusting the tie plate. Adjustment is effected in this modified construction by wedge shaped washers 38 having roughened or serrated edges 39 engaging serrated inclined surfaces of flanges l-O projecting outwardly from the depending of the tie plate. These washers are provided with vertically elongated holes 41, and the depending flanges ofthe tie plate are provided with horizontally elongated holes 42, said holes being adapted to receive a bolt passing through the tie. Thus by downward displacement of the wedge shaped washers 88 the tie plate may be moved along the tie to any desired position of adjustment. It will be observed that hole ll is formed in the washer eccentrically. It is intended that the maximum distance between one edge oi": the washer and the axis of hole ll shall be equal to the minimum distance between the other edge and the axis of said hole. Thus when adjustment with one edge of the washer has been exhausted the adjustment may be continued from this point by reversing the washer so as to bring its other edge into coaction with the inclined surface of flange 40. In order to increase the resistance to displacement of the washer when clamped in. adjusted positions, the faces of the washer may be roughened or corrugated and the surfaces of the depending flanges against which the washers are clai'nped may be similarly corrugated.

It is to be understood that the invention in it. broader aspects is not limited to any specific form of dependent flange tie plate or to any specific means associated therewith for holding the rail against lateral, longitudinal or rotative movement. The forms illustrated and described will indicate the differences in form of which the tie plate and its associated holding devices are susceptible without departing from the scope of the invention.

l Vhere holding lugs and hooks are shown or described as punched or struck up from side flanges it is to be understood that they can equally as well be struck from the base of the tie plate and vice versa. Likewise, the anti-creeping hooks shown in Figs. 1, 3, l, 5, 6, 7 and 8 as bent outwardly from the tie plate may be bent inwardly with equal eti'ectiveness.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a wooden cross tie and a rail supported thereby, a tie plate consist ng a plate disposed between the rail an d tie and having depending flanges paralleling the sides of the tie and an integral abutment engaging); the outer edge of the rail base, and removable clips securedto said do ending flanges engaging the inner edge oit said base.

In combination and a rail supp rt consisting oil a plate disposed between the rail and tie having depending flanges paralleling the sides t the tie and an integral abutment engaging the outer edge oi the base, and rcn'iovable clips secured to depending flanges having portions 7, and underlying the inner edge of all base.

combination with a wooden cross tie rail supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a plate disposed between the rail and tie having dc 'iending flanges and outwardly exteding abutments projecting from the inner ends of said depending ilan 'es, and having two integral lugs projectupwardly respectively from opposite sides of said plate adapted to engage the outer and inner edges of the rail base, said lugs being bent outwardly to overlie tl e rail base at acute angles to the axis of the rail, a bolt passingthrough the tie and through elongated holes in the flanges and eccentric washers on the bolt coacting with said abut ments.

4-. In combination with a wooden cross tie and a rail supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a plate disposed between the rail and tie having depending flanges and an integral abutment engaging the outer edge of "he rail base, and having outwardly extending flanges at the inner ends of said depending flanges, clips abutting said last named flanges engaging the inner edge of the rail base, a bolt passing through said tie and through elongated holes in said depending flanges and in said clips, and washers eccen trically mounted on said bolt engaging said outwardly extending flanges.

5. In combination with a. wooden cross tie vith a wooden cross tie 0. ed thereby, a tie plateand a rail supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a plate disposed between the rail and tie having depending flanges and an integral abutment engaging the outer edge of the rail base, and having outwardly extending flanges projecting from the inner ends of said depending flanges, clips abut dig said last named flanges and engaging the inner edge of the rail base, a boltpassing through said tie and through elongated holes in said depending flanges and in said clips, and washers eccentrically mounted on said bolt engaging said outwardly extending flanges, said clips having their body portions curved in horizontal section with their concave faces opposed to said depending flanges, for the purpose described.

6. In combination with wooden cross tie and a rail supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a plate disposed between the rail and tie having depending flanges and an integral abutment engaging the outer ec ge of the rail base, and having outwardly e1;- tending flanges projecting from the inner ends of said depending flanges, clips abntt i I; said last named flanges havin a pair of oppositely arranged rail engaging jaws, a bolt passing through said tie and through elongated holes in said depending flanges and in said chips whereby said jaws may be located at different distances from a vertic-a1 plane passing through the axis of said bolt, and washers eccentrically mounted on said bolt engaging said outwardly extending flanges.

7. In combination with a wooden cross tie and a rail supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a plate disposed between the rail and tie having depending flanges and having two integral lugs engaging respectively the outer and inner edges of the rail base, saidlugs having portions bent inwardly to overlie the rail base at acute angles to the rail, said depending flanges having outwardly extending portions projecting from their inner ends and formed with inclined surfaces, washers having inclined edges engaging said inclined surfaces, and a bolt passing through the tie, through horizontally elongated holes in said depending flange and through vertically elongated holes in said washers.

8. In combination with a wooden cross tie and a rail supported thereby, a tie plate Q D nclined faces, "washers having lnclined edges engaging said inclined faces, and a bolt passing through the tie, through horizontally elongated holes in said depending flanges and through vertically elongated holes in said washers.

9. In combination with a wooden cross tie and a rail supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a plate disposed between the rail and tie having depending flanges, said depenoing flanges being formed with inclined surfaces, washers having inclined surfaces engaging said first mentioned surfaces, and a bolt passing through the tie, through horizontally elongated holes in said depending flanges and through vertically elongated holes in said washers.

10. In combination with a wooden cross tie and a rail supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a ")late disposed between the rail and tie hav? 5 depending flanges, said depending flanges being formed with incl'r serrated surfaces, wedge shaped w having serrated sides either of which is'adapted to engage said serrated surfaces, said washers having vertically elongated holes located closer to one side than to the other and said depending flanges having horizontally elongated holes, and a bolt passing through the tie and through said holes. 7

11. In coml'nation with a wooden cross tie and a rail. supported thereby, a tie plate consisting of a plate disposed between the rail and tie having depending flanges, said depending flanges being formed with inclined serrated surfaces facing outwardly and with serrated portions extending outwardly from said surfaces, wedge shaped washers having serrated faces and sides engaging said portions and surfaces respectively, said washers having vertically elongated holes located closer to one side than to the other and said depending flanges having horizontally elongated holes, and a bolt p2 sing through the tie and through said holes.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

IVILLIAM G. COUGHLIN. 

